Chapter 2

[Victoria Former Home Concept]

I stood in the elevator, the words on the screen still echoing in my mind.

Edward caught up with me just as the doors were about to close. He thrust out a hand to stop them, his voice tight with anger. "Camellia Wright, you're making a fuss over one line in a project name?"

My gaze fell to his cufflinks. "You saw it?"

"So what if I did?" He stepped inside and pressed the button for the first floor. "Vicky's old place was tastefully decorated. It's perfectly normal for the designer to draw inspiration from it."

"Why does our wedding home have to look like her old place?" I demanded.

Edward rubbed his brow in frustration. "Do you have to be so particular about everything? I bought the house and paid for the renovations. Is there something wrong with choosing a style I feel comfortable with?"

The elevator doors reflected my pale face. "No problem."

My response only irritated him further. "Camie, this attitude of yours is worse than if you'd just argued with me."

The elevator reached the first floor, and the doors slid open.

Victoria's voice came from behind us. "Eddie, don't scold her. It's my fault."

She held out the ceramic deer to me. "Please take this as an apology. I used to love it. Eddie said it would look lovely by the window in the master bedroom."

Edward glanced at the deer, and his expression softened for a moment.

I suddenly remembered my birthday three years ago, when he'd given me a camellia brooch. He'd said it reminded him of me: quiet, graceful, and content without being the center of attention.

But after Victoria returned to the country, I never saw that brooch again.

I made no move to accept the deer. "If you like it so much, you should keep it."

Victoria's hand froze in midair.

Edward took the deer from her, his tone turning cold. "She's offering it to you. Just accept it. Don't make things awkward for her."

I met his gaze. "I don't need someone else's old things."

Victoria's face went pale.

Edward's expression changed instantly. "Camellia. Apologize."

Workers were still coming and going near the elevator, and the designer hadn't gone far. Several people glanced in our direction.

"Why should I?"

Edward gripped my shoulder. "Because what you said was hurtful."

His hold wasn't particularly forceful, but it was firm enough to prevent me from stepping back. "Vicky's been kind enough to help you, and this is how you repay her? With sarcasm?"

Victoria spoke softly. "Let it go, Eddie. I don't want to make things difficult for Camie."

Edward kept his hand on my shoulder. "I've spoiled her too much. She's forgotten even the most basic manners."

I lowered my gaze to the deer. A corner of one ear had chipped off and been carefully repaired. A faint line remained in the glaze where someone had mended it.

Victoria suddenly spoke again. "Actually, Eddie was the one who gave me this deer in the first place. I just thought it would look nice in the wedding home too."

Edward frowned. "Vicky."

She lowered her eyes at once, as though she'd accidentally revealed something she shouldn't have. "Sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

A faint smile touched my lips.

So this wasn't merely one of her old possessions. It was a gift Edward had once given her, and now they wanted to put it in my wedding home.

As if afraid I'd ask any more questions, Edward shoved the deer into my hands. "Just take it. It's only a decoration. Stop making a scene."

The hard edge of the ceramic dug into my palm. Before I could get a proper grip, the deer slipped from my hands and shattered into two pieces.

Victoria let out a soft gasp.

Edward's face darkened. "Camellia."

I crouched to gather the broken pieces, but a sharp edge caught my fingertip. A bead of blood welled up.

Edward noticed. His fingers twitched, but instead of reaching for me, he turned to Victoria first. "Don't look at it. You might cut yourself too."

Victoria retreated behind him. "Camie, I know you don't like me, but you didn't have to do that."

I gathered the pieces in my palm. "Tell me how much it's worth. I'll pay for it."

Edward stared at my hand, his voice low. "This isn't about money."

"Then what is it about?"

He didn't answer.

The designer cautiously offered me a tissue. "Miss Wright, perhaps you should tend to your finger first."

Edward took the tissue from her, but just as he was about to pass it to me, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen and answered immediately. "Yes, Molly. Vicky's with me. Don't worry."

Victoria leaned closer to listen, and her expression softened at once.

The voice on the other end was loud enough for everyone to hear. "Eddie, how's the new home coming along for you and Vicky? When I come back this time, I want to be the first to see it."

I stood there with the broken pieces in my hand and looked up at Edward.

He fell silent for a moment before he answered quickly, "It's almost done. I'll bring her over once it's ready."

So it was their wedding home after all.